John laughed.  “There was nothing else to do,” he said.

“H’m.  Most fellows in your position would have thought it was the last thing possible.  Have you any idea what it means to saddle yourself with a child like this?  Whatever put such an idea into your head?”

“Jesus Christ,” answered John quietly.

“Well, well, you’re a queer fellow, Randolph.  But how are you going to make the wages spin out?  A boy is ’a growing giant of wants whom the coat of Have is never large enough to cover.’”

“His father managed, so can I.”  John’s voice shook a little.

“His father!  But he was his father, you see.  That makes a mighty difference.  Well, Randolph, I give you up.  You are beyond me.”

John rose.  “Was that all you wished to say to me, Mr. Branford?”

“Sit down, man!  What the mischief are you in such a hurry for?  It stands to reason the Company can’t let you bear the brunt of this most deplorable occurrence, though I don’t believe we could have found a better guardian for the poor little lad.  But guardians expect to be paid for their trouble.  What price do you set, Randolph?”

“I don’t want any pay for obeying my Master, Mr. Branford.”

“Your Master, Randolph?” said the Manager with a puzzled stare.

“Yes, sir, Jesus Christ.”

“Upon my word, Randolph, you’re a queer fellow!  Well, if you don’t want pay, I want some one with a head on his shoulders in this office.  Any of the fellows in the outside office would be glad of the chance to get in here, but I want a man who understands what he is doing as well as I do myself.  You have practical knowledge, Randolph, you’re the man I want.  I shall expect you to start in here tomorrow morning.  The salary will be double your present wages.  And, since you have constituted yourself guardian of the boy, I may as well tell you that the Company has decided to set aside a yearly sum for his maintenance and education.

“Now you can go, if you are in such a tremendous hurry, Randolph:  only don’t try any more of such toploftiness with me.  It won’t go down, you see;” and the Manager chuckled softly, as John, with broken thanks, left the room.  “I rather think I got the better of him that time!” he said to himself.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Judge Hildreth sat in his private office, immersed in anxious thought.  Every day brought new difficulties to be wrestled with in connection with the multitudinous schemes which were making an old man of him while he was still in his prime.  His hair was grey, his hands trembled, his eyes were bloodshot, and his face had the unhealthy pallor which accompanies intense nervous pressure and excitement.